Gov. Bob Riley has been traveling the state in recent days, outlining his re-election platform that includes tax cuts, school construction, tax credits for businesses, and prison guard pay raises, a plan that would cost more than $1 billion, according to the Republican governor’s own estimates.

Riley said the state can handle his plan without any new taxes, provided the state’s tax collections grow by a conservative 4 percent a year. The governor said his plan would use about half the anticipated growth in state tax collections over the next four years, and the other half would be left for raises, Medicaid and other increasing costs.

The biggest cost of Riley’s plan is a $500 million school-construction program financed through a 20-year bond issue. It would cost $42 million per year, or $840 million over the life of the bond issue, according to Riley’s own estimates.

Riley’s other education proposals, including expanded academic programs and incentive pay for teachers, would total more than $150 million once fully phased in over four years.

Any new money always comes as welcome news to the two local school systems, which are constantly seeking funding to expand programs and facilities.

Athens City Schools are in the midst of a renovation project at Athens Middle School, according to Superintendent Orman Bridges.

“We’ve torn out the tennis courts to make a football practice area,” said Bridges. “We’re in the process of getting the parking lot redone and a retaining wall with guard rail.”

Bridges said drawings for a new biology/technology wing for Athens High School are now in the hands of architects. “We have no projection yet of what that would cost,” said Bridges.

The superintendent said the board is also looking at drawing options for new classrooms at Cowart Elementary and a new gymnasium and classrooms for Julian Newman Elementary.

“And, of course, we’re working on the renovation of outdoor athletic facilities at the high school, baseball, soccer and softball fields and a concession stand to join all three,” said Bridges. “These have been in the capital plan all along. Other things we will have to look at with the BRAC moves are more students, and we will be looking at more enhancements along the way.”

The Limestone County Board of Education approved its five-year capital plan at its last meeting. The annual “wish list” is required by the state Department of Education, but school officials realize many of the improvements could be out of reach for years.

Included in the 2007 capital plan are $32.5 million in improvements, the top of which are new elementary schools for both Clements and Elkmont. Other high-ticket items are new gyms for East Limestone, Owens and Ardmore.

There are also various roofing jobs and sewage treatment problems to be addressed when funds become available.